Kupwara patients forced to travel miles for MRI, locals slam administrative delay

Kupwara, Nov 26: Residents of this frontier district have expressed strong resentment over the failure of authorities to establish a much-needed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facility, a gap that continues to burden patients and strain the region’s already limited healthcare resources.

Locals said the absence of this essential diagnostic service has forced patients to travel long distances to neighbouring districts or to Srinagar for advanced imaging, often at significant financial and personal cost.

They told Greater Kashmir that the people of Kupwara were suffering due to the lack of an MRI facility. They said the absence of an MRI unit has led to delays in diagnosis and worsened the overall healthcare experience for a population already facing constraints in medical infrastructure.

Residents from the far-flung snowbound areas of Karnah, Keran, Machil, Budnamal, Jumagand, Kumkadi and others said they face the worst hardship. “Whenever people are advised an MRI, they are compelled to visit Srinagar, which often takes several days. With weak economic conditions, staying in Srinagar and bearing the expenses for an MRI becomes extremely difficult,” said Abdul Ahad, a resident of Bumhama.

“We feel dejected and isolated. The situation calls for immediate attention from the authorities to establish an MRI facility and address the growing healthcare needs of the district,” said Irfan Ahmad, another resident.

Doctors in Kupwara also expressed concern. A Radiologist posted at a local hospital said MRI scans are crucial for diagnosing neurological, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular conditions, and the lack of such services limits timely and accurate treatment.

Residents have urged the immediate intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to end the prolonged hardship faced by the district’s population.

Meanwhile, a senior official told Greater Kashmir that the process to establish an MRI facility at SDH Kupwara is underway.